Azerbaijan: The inaugural match of the Chess World Cup semi-finals gripped spectators with a thrilling three-hour encounter, showcasing 35 masterful moves by both players. The match concluded in a draw, setting the stage for a high-stakes second game between Indian chess prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa and his formidable opponent, Magnus Carlsen.
Speaking about the match, Praggnanandhaa expressed that, “I don’t think there was a challenge; there will be a fight in the second matches anyway. I will definitely try hard to put up a good fight. I will try to give my best performance,” stated Praggnanandhaa following the closely contested first match.
Carlsen shared his perspective on the game and his physical condition. “I was maybe slightly better. I didn’t really mind a draw. Normally, I will have a little advantage by having a rest day and Prag having to play tie-breaks. But I have been in rough shape in the last couple of days. I had some food poisoning. I have not been able to eat for the last two days. It means I was calm and didn’t have much energy to be nervous. Overall, I am happy with the way I have solved the problems in the opening,” he explained.
The upcoming bout promises more strategic depth as Carlsen takes on the challenge with the white pieces, while Praggnanandhaa will wield the black pieces. The first game ended in a deadlock after 35 compelling moves, leaving the chess world on edge. The Chess World Cup Final consists of two classical games, each providing players with 90 minutes for the initial 40 moves. Thereafter, each move comes with a 30-second increment for the remainder of the game, along with 30 minutes.
The victor of the second game will lay claim to the prestigious world title. Should the match conclude in a tie once again, the contest will proceed to a tiebreaker, where the final verdict will be determined. The much-anticipated match is set to commence at 4:30 PM and take place in the spirited environment of Azerbaijan.
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